Seven University of Wolverhampton students spend summer at 'life-changing' summer camp in St. Kitts and Nevis
Seven football coaching students from the University of Wolverhampton joined 13 UK coaches in St. Kitts and Nevis this summer for a football camp.
Over the course of two weeks, the camp welcomed more than 330 children per day, aged 4 to 17, offering a safe and engaging environment where football became a powerful tool for personal development and crime reduction in the country.
Beyond learning new skills on the pitch, participants were encouraged to make better choices, build confidence, and form lasting friendships.
The camp’s impact was felt not only by the children and their communities, but also by the students themselves who were all coaching abroad for the first time.
“Coaching in a high-energy, unfamiliar environment like this challenges you to adapt, innovate, and grow,” said Russel Smith, Football Coaching Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton. “It’s about more than football - it’s about leadership, communication, and understanding the role sport can play in social change.
“This is a life-changing opportunity to grow as a coach and help build a brighter future for the next generation."
The camp offered unique professional development opportunities, including: adapting coaching techniques to suit diverse cultures and skill levels, strengthening leadership and communication in dynamic team settings, and gaining new perspectives on the social impact of sport in different communities.
Third year coaching student, Rashid Salim, University of Wolverhampton said: “The St. Kitts and Nevis trip has given me a greater understanding of how privileged we are and it’s helped me to engage better with groups of young people in different situations.”
